PLUMCREEK TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- A young girl who was rescued by strangers from icy waters in Plumcreek Township has made nearly a full recovery, her father said.

Chris Bills said he was driving on Sunkin Valley Road when he hit a patch of ice, lost control of his car and landed in a creek. He said it only took moments to become trapped in the water with his 4-year-old daughter.

"Of course nobody wants to lose their kid. I wish I could have got her out faster," Bills said.

Nearby construction workers saw the crash and used a harness to remove the car from the water. Once out of the wreckage, Elderton's police chief and mayor did CPR on Carmen.

"I'd like to thank them for everything they did. The situation definitely wouldn't have been what it was. I probably wouldn't have my daughter right now," said Bills.

Bills said they weren't sure that Carmen was going to survive but in one week's time she's made a remarkable recovery.

"She's done what they expected in months in a week. Every day they came in and they couldn't believe what she was doing," Bills said.

Carmen is expected to be released from the hospital next week.